FrostCal

When to Plant Onions in North Carolina

In a typical North Carolina location, start seeds indoors Jan 20 – Feb 3, then transplant outdoors Mar 3 – Mar 17. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Feb 18 in Morehead City and as late as Apr 4 in Boone.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 90–120 days

Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost (or use sets/transplants); set out 2-4 weeks before last frost, very cold-tolerant as seedlings.

Onions Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplant
CharlotteJan 19 – Feb 2Mar 2 – Mar 16
RaleighJan 17 – Jan 31Feb 28 – Mar 14
GreensboroJan 21 – Feb 4Mar 4 – Mar 18
DurhamJan 22 – Feb 5Mar 5 – Mar 19
Winston-SalemJan 15 – Jan 29Feb 26 – Mar 12
FayettevilleJan 19 – Feb 2Mar 2 – Mar 16
CaryJan 17 – Jan 31Feb 28 – Mar 14
WilmingtonJan 8 – Jan 22Feb 19 – Mar 5
High PointJan 19 – Feb 2Mar 2 – Mar 16
AshevilleJan 26 – Feb 9Mar 9 – Mar 23
GreenvilleJan 16 – Jan 30Feb 27 – Mar 13
ConcordJan 21 – Feb 4Mar 4 – Mar 18
GastoniaJan 16 – Jan 30Feb 27 – Mar 13
JacksonvilleJan 20 – Feb 3Mar 3 – Mar 17
Chapel HillJan 20 – Feb 3Mar 3 – Mar 17
Rocky MountJan 20 – Feb 3Mar 3 – Mar 17
HuntersvilleJan 19 – Feb 2Mar 2 – Mar 16
BurlingtonJan 18 – Feb 1Mar 1 – Mar 15
WilsonJan 11 – Jan 25Feb 22 – Mar 8
KannapolisJan 21 – Feb 4Mar 4 – Mar 18
ApexJan 16 – Jan 30Feb 27 – Mar 13
HickoryJan 20 – Feb 3Mar 3 – Mar 17
Wake ForestJan 24 – Feb 7Mar 7 – Mar 21
Indian TrailJan 20 – Feb 3Mar 3 – Mar 17
MooresvilleJan 29 – Feb 12Mar 12 – Mar 26
GoldsboroJan 17 – Jan 31Feb 28 – Mar 14
MonroeJan 23 – Feb 6Mar 6 – Mar 20
SalisburyJan 26 – Feb 9Mar 9 – Mar 23
Holly SpringsJan 26 – Feb 9Mar 9 – Mar 23
MatthewsJan 20 – Feb 3Mar 3 – Mar 17

Showing the 30 most populous of 95 North Carolina cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all North Carolina cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant onions in North Carolina?

In a typical North Carolina location, start seeds indoors Jan 20 – Feb 3, then transplant outdoors Mar 3 – Mar 17. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Feb 18 in Morehead City and as late as Apr 4 in Boone.

When is the last frost in North Carolina?

The average last spring frost in North Carolina ranges from March 18 in Morehead City to May 2 in Boone, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do onions take to grow?

Onions typically take 90–120 days from planting to harvest. Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost (or use sets/transplants); set out 2-4 weeks before last frost, very cold-tolerant as seedlings.

Other Crops in North Carolina

When to plant onions in other states

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